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Title: Leveraging Nitrogen Linkages in the Formation of a Porous Thorium–Organic Nanotube Suitable for Iodine Capture

Journal Article · · Inorganic Chemistry

We report the synthesis, characterization, and iodine capture application of a novel thorium–organic nanotube, TSN-626, [Th6O4(OH)4(C6H4NO2)7(CHO2)5(H2O)3]·3H2O. The classification as a metal–organic nanotube (MONT) distinguishes it as a rare and reduced dimensionality subset of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs); the structure is additionally hallmarked by low node connectivity. TSN-626 is composed of hexameric thorium secondary building units and mixed O/N-donor isonicotinate ligands that demonstrate selective ditopicity, yielding both terminating and bridging moieties. Because hard Lewis acid tetravalent metals have a propensity to bind with electron donors of rival hardness (e.g., carboxylate groups), such Th–N coordination in a MOF is uncommon. However, the formation of key structural Th–N bonds in TSN-626 cap some of the square antiprismatic metal centers, a position usually occupied by terminal water ligands. TSN-626 was characterized by using complementary analytical and computational techniques: X-ray diffraction, vibrational spectroscopy, N2 physisorption isotherms, and density functional theory. TSN-626 satisfies design aspects for the chemisorption of iodine. The synergy between accessibility through pores, vacancies at the metal–oxo nodes, and pendent N-donor sites allowed a saturated iodine loading of 955 mg g–1 by vapor methods. The crystallization of TSN-626 diversifies actinide–MOF linker selection to include soft electron donors, and these Th–N linkages can be leveraged for the investigation of metal-to-ligand bonding and unconventional topological expressions.

Research Organization:
University of Notre Dame, IN (United States); Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
NA0003763; NA0003960; AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
1873156
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1923493
Journal Information:
Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 61, Issue 25; ISSN 0020-1669
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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